[FIC] When You Wish Upon A Star-(1/?)

TITLE: When You Wish Upon A Star SUMMERY: The school has to get a human teacher from the outside. See what happens PAIRING: Nothing is shown thusfar, but I m

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, Sep 5, 2001

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TITLE: When You Wish Upon A Star
SUMMERY: The school has to get a human teacher from the outside. See what
happens
PAIRING: Nothing is shown thusfar, but I'm going to have two pairings.
Kathryn/Logan. You'll see the next couple emerge in the next chapter or so.
**evil grin**
AUTHOR: Crystal (CRSunrise@...)
RATING: Not sure yet, so far G, but it might get higher
ARCHIVING: Please ask!
DISCLAIMER: No one belongs to me...drats...no wait!! So far Kathryn,
Snowball and Dr. James belongs to me. Everyone else, belongs to our beloved
people--Marvel Comics.
Notes: Thanks all the people who betaed this for me, and are going to be
hearing from me for quite an indefinite amount of time hehe
FEEDBACK: PLEASE!! I'm the Feedback monster. Give me feedback lol

************
When You Wish Upon A Star
***this happens about six months after Logan left for Canada***

Chapter One

Summer was coming to a close, but the days were still long and heat still
filled the air. Young people were enjoying the final days of summer before
the grind of homework and classes overtook their freedom. It didn't matter
who the person was, young or old, no one really wanted to relinquish their
independence to go back to the daily routine of papers, pop quizzes, and
field trips.

At Xavier's School for the Gifted in Westchester, this feeling was
mutual. It was the weekend before school started and the students were
already arriving in droves to settle in for the new year. It seemed like it
was going to be normal as possible for a school for mutants, but that was
going to change very quickly.

***Xavier's office***

Professor Charles Xavier had just finished reading his recently arrived
letter when there was a solid knock at the door. Placing the letter back
onto his desk, he watched as his three teachers, who were also his first
three students, Dr. Jean Grey, Scott Summers and Ororo Monroe enter the room.

Dr. Jean Grey, her dark red tresses hanging loosely down her back, was
dressed in black slacks, a school T-shirt in royal blue, and her white lab
coat, obviously just coming from the underground lab. As she entered the
room, she took off her glasses, folded them and placed them in the front
pocket of her coat.

"You wanted to see us, Professor?" Dr. Grey asked as they all sat down in
the hardback chairs, which sat before his desk. They watched as he picked up
the letter in front of him and handed it to her.

Scott Summers was sitting next to Jean, his fiancée. Scott was a tall
young man with brown hair, which gently brushed over his forehead. He was
wearing blue jeans and a school tank top. Over his eyes, he was wearing his
ruby quartz glasses he usually wore.

"This letter just arrived special delivery from Hank McCoy at the
Massachusetts School," Xavier confirmed as she skimmed over the letter, then
handed it over to Scott, who in turn, after studying it himself, passed it to
Ororo.

"So what is the situation?" Ororo wondered as she placed the letter back
into Professor Xavier's hand and he folded it back up, placing it in the
front pocket of his jacket. She was dressed in a soft rose-colored one-piece
bathing suit, which was covered with a dark blue cover-up, tied at her waist,
and a dark blue towel draped over her arm. Her waist length white hair was
neatly tied in a single braid. When Xavier had called them to come to his
office, she'd been on her way to the pool.

"As you know, the Massachusetts School, which is our sister school, is
where the students are sent to continue their education once we've gone as
far as we can with them." They all nodded in agreement and he continued on.
"One of the students, while helping clean the school for the start of the
year, lost control of his ability and destroyed the entire west wing, which
was the housing for all the students," he explained to them. "With all the
damage, it will be unlivable for the students to stay there during
reconstruction. So while the facilities are being rebuilt, the students are
going to be staying here," he concluded, waiting for questions from his
former students.

"How many students should we be planning for?" Jean inquired once he was
finished with his explanation.

"There will be thirty students coming," Professor Xavier answered her.
"which will consist of fifteen boys and fifteen girls."

"Professor," Scott spoke up for the first time. "With all due respect,
how are we going to handle thirty more students? It is sometimes a handful
to keep track of the ones who are already here."

"That's one thing I wanted to discuss with you," Professor Xavier
confessed as he broached the other reason for the meeting. Opening one of
his side drawers, he ruffled through some folders until he found the folder
he was looking for. Pulling out a small packet of papers, he shut the drawer
and put the papers on his desk. "We're going to need another teacher to help
us with the arriving students."

"How are we going to do that?" Ororo wondered as she situated her towel
onto her lap. "Not too many students become teachers once they've left the
school."

"An associate of mine, Dr. Michelle James, has mentioned a student of
hers is looking for a teaching job. She just graduated from the university
with a degree in American Literature."

"Who is she?" Jean wondered, clearly intrigued.

"Her name is Kathryn Spidel," he clarified, handing the packet of papers
to her. "She has no immediate family...both her parents and only sister died
in a car crash about two years ago. Her only living family member is her
aunt on her mother's side."

"Are you sure Professor?" Ororo asked, not quite sure if she was
questioning his judgment. "We've never had a human teacher before."

"Would it be safe to have her here?" Jean asked, looking up from the
papers she'd been reading from, and finally passed them over to Scott.
"She's obviously very qualified to teach at any school, but would it be safe
for us, and for her, to teach here?

"How much does Ms. Spidel have to know about what goes on here?" Scott
inquired as he accepted the paper from Jean and started to read them himself.

"To answer all your questions," Professor Xavier spoke, as soon as they
had thrown out their concerns. "First, I'm definitely sure. Ms. Spidel has
an excellent reputation with the faculty and students at the university. She
has no prejudices whatsoever. Secondly, it'll safe for everyone. She'll
have to know about the students she'd be teaching, but that would be same
anywhere. And third, she'll know about the school, and what goes on at the
top levels, but the rest will be kept out of her knowledge."

Pausing for a moment, he waited to see if his teachers had any more
objections. When none did arise, he concluded with, "I feel she'll make an
excellent addition to the teaching staff."

***Outside an apartment complex***

A yellow taxicab stopped in front of a drab brown brick apartment
building. The back door opened and a tall young woman in a long gray coat
stepped out, carrying a briefcase and a carryall bag. Kathryn Spidel paid
the driver, and then stepped onto the sidewalk. Pausing she looked up at her
apartment complex and sighed at the sight. I can't wait to get out of here.
This place is such a dump. Readjusting the strap on her shoulder and she
walked up the front steps to the entrance of her building.

Upon entering the building, she climbed up two flights of steep, dark
stairs and then walked down the hallway to her apartment. Fumbling in her
pocket, she located her key, inserted and turned it, giving her entrance to
her apartment. Walking in, she shut the door and stripped herself of her
coat.

Kathryn was twenty-three, had soft, shoulder length, brown hair and
chocolate brown eyes. There was a slight smile on her face as she hung up
her coat and slipped off her shoes. Dropping her briefcase and her bag onto
a nearby table, she wandered into the kitchen, calling out, "Snowball! Here
kitty, kitty!"

As Kathryn searched through her cupboards for a can of cat food, a fluffy
white Persian bounded into the room and hopped onto the countertops. Running
over to her, the kitty purred excitedly for Kathryn to stand up with the can.
As she opened the can, the cat nudged her hand for her to hurry. She was
hungry. Once the can was open, Snowball practically pounced on it. Kathryn
smiled, petted her lovingly and walked into the living room.

The living room was a small, but intimate room, decorated to the best of
the Kathryn's abilities. There were a few pictures on the walls and some
miscellaneous flowers spattered here and there. Mismatched furniture
crisscrossed the room. By looking at the room, you could tell comfort was
more important than style to Kathryn. Besides, Kathryn couldn't afford style
at this point.

Flopping down onto the couch, she sighed, ruffling through her hair as
she stretched fully. It had been a long day of going to teaching interviews
and she was all tensed into knots. It was from the discouragement that she
might get turned down for yet another position, and all because she lacked
the experience.

"Well, how am I supposed to get experience if no one'll give me a chance
to get any?" she asked tersely to open air before her. It just frustrated
her to no end that no one would get her a chance to prove herself.

Reaching across a small endtable, she punched the small black button on
her answering machine to start playing that day's messages. Most of them
were the same nonsensical messages: her aunt asking her if she'd come over
for supper, a friend asking her to come over and help her with a paper she
was writing, etc. The one that peaked her interest was from her professor,
Dr. Michelle James.

Hey, Kathryn...I received something from an associate that I thought you'd be
interested in. It's about a possible job position if you're interested.
Please call me as soon as you can at my office.

Is that for real? Kathryn thought, not hearing the rest of the messages.
Here I am, getting frustrated over not getting a chance, and here I might be
getting one.

Grabbing the phone off the cradle, she quickly entered her professor's
number. While it was ringing, she noticed what time it was, and hoped that
she was still there. She was about to give up when she heard a rushed
'Hello' come across the line.

"Dr. James?"

"Kathryn?"

"Yeah, it's me. I just got your message, and didn't realize the time until
after I'd called," Kathryn explained, biting her lip slightly. "Did I
interrupt something?"

"No, I was just on my way out, but I'm glad you caught me," Dr. James
reassured, sounding less breathless. "I have a possible position if you're
interested."

She heard a slight ruffling over the phone, and a minute after heard the
professor inquiring, "Can you come in tomorrow at two o'clock?"

"Oh, yes. I can come in at that time," Kathryn affirmed.

"Great," the woman sounding pleased. "Well, I'll see you tomorrow."

"Yes. Tomorrow."

They said their goodbyes, and each hung up their extensions. Once Kathryn
had laid down her end, a sudden burst of energy came over her. Jumping off
the couch, she started dancing around the room. This was the greatest
opportunity for her.

As she danced, Kathryn picked up Snowball, who had come into the room while
Kathryn had been talking on the phone. Cuddling her up to her chest, Kathryn
twirled around the room, humming silently. The cat was purring contently,
enjoying the attention.

Moments passed and Snowball decided this was getting old. Meowing to be let
down, she jumped out of Kathryn's arms and tiptoed over to the windowsill.
Lying down, while basking in the late afternoon sun, she fell asleep.

During this, Kathryn was able to calm down enough to start fixing herself
some supper. However, even thought she appeared so calm, she was excited
about her possible oncoming adventure. This could be one of the best things
to ever happen to her.

Before she started making her supper, she walked over to a nearby window, she
twisting a small sliver latch, and firmly pushing the frame up. Once the
window was open, the soft evening breeze brushed over her face, and made her
smile. Breathing in deeply, she smelled the last bits of the summertime
winds.

Gazing up into the sky, she noticed that the stars were starting to peek out
of the evening sky. Following her weekly ritual, she picked out the
brightest star she could find, and made a wish:

I wish that I am able to get this job. I would like to make a difference in
the lives of everyone around me. Helping others is the greatest comfort I
can give anyone, even if I wasn't able to help save the lives of others.

***The Next Day***

Kathryn arrived early at Dr. James's office because she wanted to calm down
before her appointment. Standing before the office, she gazed up at it
wondering what fate she would find in there. Would it be failure? Or would
fate prevail and give her the chance she'd been waiting for? All her
questions would be answered once she walked through the front doors.
Tightening the sash around her waist, she climbed the short flight of stairs
that led into the building.

Arriving at the office a few minutes later, she told the secretary whom she
was there to see and took a seat in a nearby satin green chair. Sighing
softly, she waited until she was called on.

A moment later, Kathryn saw Dr. James stroll through a nearby door. Placing
a lock of her soft, golden blonde hair, Dr. James smiled warmly as she held
out her hand to greet Kathryn. "Thanks for coming in, and especially on such
short notice."

"It was no trouble," Kathryn reassured her as she took the outstretched hand
and shook it firmly. Upon releasing her hand, Kathryn stated, "Thanks for
giving me the consideration. I appreciate it."

"Let's see how you appreciate it when you hear the proposal," the woman
smiled gently. Motioning towards the door she'd just exited, she suggested,
"Why don't we talk about this in my office? We can talk better back there."
Kathryn nodded and they walked down the hallway.

Dr. James led Kathryn through a small maze of hallways until they finally
reached her office. Signaling for Kathryn to take a seat in the chair
opposite her desk, Dr. James circled around the desk and sat in her own
chair.

Scooting up close to the desk, she settled her elbows on the desktop.
Resting her chin onto her hands, she looked at Kathryn and asked, "Kathryn,
what kind of experience do you have working with special students?"

"Special students?" Kathryn repeated. Thinking about it a second, she
answered, "Really none, I guess."

"Then you have no preconceived notions," Dr. James suggested as she opened
her briefcase and pulled out a manila envelope and opened the seal.

"I guess you can say that," Kathryn agreed, cupping her hands tightly so the
trembling wouldn't be noticeable. She was worried that her lack of
experience would be her downfall again. "I tried to give everyone the chance
they deserved, regardless of their color, race, sex, whatever."

Nodding at Kathryn's answer, Dr. James pulled out some paper from the
envelope and set them before her on the desk.

"Kathryn, I'm offering you this position because I know you're qualified
enough for it, and I know you'll do an excellent job," Dr. James explained
carefully. "Now, you'll still need to get the full approval from my
associate, Professor Xavier, but I don't see how there will be any problem."

"I'll do my best," Kathryn offered, hoping this would be enough and that she
could do even that.

"I must tell you though," Dr. James conceded as she picked up the papers
she'd just pulled out of the manila envelope. "This job is only temporary."

"Temporary?"

"Yes," the woman answered, then handed the papers towards Kathryn. "This
letter should explain what you need to know."

Nodding, Kathryn gripped the letter and started reading it. It read:

Dear Ms. Spidel

My name is Professor Charles Xavier. I'm the founder, as well as the
administrator, of the Xavier's School for the Gifted, which is located in
Westchester, New York, as well as the sister school in Massachusetts.

Due to circumstances beyond our control, we have had to temporarily close
down the sister school. This resulted in all of the student body, and a few
of the faculty to be transferred to the Westchester location.

With the increase of students, we are required to add another teacher to our
staff. I'm asking if you would consider coming here and looking over the
facilities. If everything meets with your approval, I would like to offer
you a position here at the school. Attached to this letter are the
particulars about what you would need to know.

I await your answer, whether the answer is positive or negative.

Respectively yours
Professor Charles Xavier
Xavier's School for the Gifted
Westchester, New York

Flipping the page, Kathryn read over the attached page.

"What about my apartment and my possessions?" She questioned a few minutes
later. "This says that I'm going to be living at the school for an uncertain
amount of time."

"That's only because they aren't for certain how long they will be needing
you," Dr. James explained, hoping this would make some sense. "It just
depends on how long it takes to reopen the sister school."

Nodding, Kathryn went back to skimming over the letter. It mentioned things
like salary, benefits and such-pretty much everything that would be in a
standard letter of proposal. The only unusual thing was the request to tour
the school before agreeing to the job.

"How soon would I have to leave?" Kathryn wondered as she set the letter on
the desktop in front of her.

"As soon as possible," the doctor answered. "Professor Xavier will need you
there before school is in session."

"All right," Kathryn stated, a small smile growing on her face. "I would
like to give this a try. I'll leave whenever you tell me."

"Wonderful. I believe you can leave as soon as tonight."

"Tonight?"

"Yes, tonight. Is that to soon?" Dr. James inquired, a questioning look on
her face. "You're able to leave tomorrow afternoon."

"That's fine," Kathryn decided, after thinking about it for a minute or so.
Licking her suddenly dry lips. "I can leave tonight. That will be no
problem."

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

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